State Rep. Christian Coomer, R-Cartersville, will host the barbecue lunch, free of charge and open to the public at Taylor Farm. Special guests at the event will be Governor Deal and U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Marietta.
The Nov. 9 event will be accepting donations at the door to benefit the Vietnam Veterans of Bartow County, the Etowah Valley Young Marines and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"Those organizations are typically about trying to give something back to people who have been willing to give so much to the rest of us through their service and just making sure that those veterans who are returning have as smooth a transition as possible back into civilian life," Coomer said.
Coomer served active duty in the U.S. Air Force as a Judge Advocate General and currently serves as an Air Force Reservist. With his military history and family members in service, Coomer began last year to utilize a campaign fundraiser for greater purposes.
"I wanted to, at the same time, do something for veteran organizations. I'm a veteran, my family is all veterans and it's an important part of who we are," Coomer said. "It's free, it's open to the public, there's no charge to attend. Anyone who wants to come can come but also anybody who wants to come and make a donation to the veterans groups can certainly do that."
Organizations within the community seek to serve veterans of America's military through various ways. The Vietnam Veterans of Bartow County have placed an emphasis on mental health and counseling, while others look to educate veterans or ease their life after returning home from service.
"Different groups have different functions. Our local Vietnam veterans organization have been very active in making sure that the veterans returning now from Iraq and Afghanistan have the proper social and mental health services that they need for readjustment," Coomer said. "The VFW and other organizations are actively trying to make sure their members are educated about veterans benefits and helping veterans access benefits."
Occurring just days before Veterans Day, the event will take time to honor those in attendance who have served in the military. Lasting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Taylor Farm, 201 Lucas Road in Cartersville -- off of Highway 113, the cookout will be one way members of the public can express their gratitude.
"I think it is important to tell our community and our children that we should be grateful and give proper honor to people who have been willing to give their entire lives for the causes that we believe in and I think it's only appropriate as beneficiaries of their sacrifice that we do everything we can at every opportunity we can to say 'thank you' and by giving back in some way in return for what they've given to us," Coomer said.